Background

Lightning occurs when a combination of natural weather conditions come together to create an electrical impulse. Lightning can occur many miles from the parent thunderstorm – outside the actual storm and visible thundercloud. Caution must be exerted as the storm approaches as for a substantial time after the storm.

The lightning charge may create heat as high as 50,000 degrees. It can contain up to 100 million volts of energy. While the energy of lightning is significant, death is generally a cardiac event.

Emergency Plan

Prior to the individual practice/game, the outdoor weather should be noted. If a thunderstorm is imminent the practice/game should be suspended/postponed. Dark clouds, winds picking up in intensity, sounds of thunder, and lightning in the distance are enough clues that the weather is not conducive to good playing and spectating conditions. If the practice/game has begun, these signals should alert the coaches to suspend or postpone the event.

Avoid the Lightning Threat

Leaving the field of play (practice/game) Rule books put the authority in the hands of the referee to make the call to leave the field in inclement weather. However, it is important that members of the coaching staff give appropriate input to the officials prior to the decision to seek safe shelter. At a practice, coaches are urged to use common sense to provide a safe environment

Outside Weather Observer A member of the coaching staff during practice/play, a member of the supervisory staff for the event, and other appropriate football or cheer related individuals shall advise the officials on the change of the weather. Parents, fans and like individuals with varied vested interests shall not be involved in this action.

Local Forecast A member of the coaching staff shall be assigned to monitor the weather forecast during the day. Changing weather conditions may make it necessary to bring in another individual to do the monitoring.

Get to a Safe Place When it becomes evident that shelter may be necessary, team officials should employ the "30-30 Rule." That is, when one sees lightning – one begins counting in seconds until one hears thunder. If one hears thunder in 30 seconds or less, go quickly to shelter. Keep in mind that this rule cannot prevent against the first lightning strike. And, outdoor activities which require moving large groups of people to a distant shelter will require more time than that allotted by the "30-30 Rule".

Safe shelter shall be inside a substantial building, away from doorways, windows. Baseball/Softball dugouts are not appropriate. The shelter shall be able to keep the athletes and fans comfortable for up to 1 hour or more. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. While less than ideal, an enclosed motor vehicle will suffice. Avoid contact with the steering wheel, ignition, keys and/or radio. If one cannot get inside to a safe shelter, go to a lower elevation to minimize the risk. Stay away from fields, bleachers, trees, poles, light posts. Avoid unprotected open shelters, metal fences and structures. If still trapped outside where there is imminent risk of being struck, there are steps one may take. Imminent risk may be noted by the hair on arms and neck standing straight up, skin tingling, hearing a crackling sound. Move several feet away from another person and use the "lightning crouch" to minimize one’s risk. Put the feet together, squat down, tuck the head and cover the ears. When immediate threat of lightning has subsided go to a safe shelter.

Suspension of Play The recommendation from NWS, the NATA and the NFHS is that all athletes and fans shall remain in shelter for 30 minutes past the last lightning observed.

Lightning detection devices The technology today gives several options to athletic and recreational supervisors to employ for lightning detection. A caution however, these detectors rely on skilled installation and use. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) anecdotal evidence exists of systems failing to detect weak and/or intermittent lightning. There is also evidence of systems being installed incorrectly as well as used incorrectly. The purchase of any such safety equipment should be preceded by an evaluation of the needs of the program, training, geographical features of the facilities and designated users. The recommendation of the NWS is to use these devices as a back-up to the "30-30 Rule. “The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) works to detect lightning activity in some regions. Alerts to a pager, email or cell phone may be available in your area by a commercial vendor.

“The best detection however, may be the old dictum, "If you hear it, fear it; if you see it, flee it." Watch the sky, be ready to vacate the fields should thunderstorms start to develop and avoid the threat of lightning strikes altogether.”

Emergency Care for the Injured

In the unfortunate circumstance that someone should be struck by lightning there are three key points to remember: